The Merrill Dubrow Blog

What are you doing Sunday night April 8, at 8:00 CDT? Get ready to set the VCR (old school) or DVR (new school) if you are going to be out. The Sopranos starring James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, and Michael Imperioli is back!

Ok I will let you in on a little secret – I love this show.   In fact I have since day one!

I remember having conversations about the show with Joan Treistman in 1999 when the show first aired.  We discussed the plot, how real we thought it was and frankly how it was possible to keep us on the edge of our chairs for 58 minutes every Sunday.

Way back then I remember bringing up the subject with many people and a lot had the same response:

1. When is it on?
2. What is it about?
3. That won’t be successful!

Over the years there are so many characters that I really enjoy watching and in some crazy way almost getting to know. Yes the show has violence (in fact plenty of it) – some of which has been a challenge to watch.  And there’s nudity, drugs and yes very strong, offensive language.

My favorite character is Silvio “Sil” Dante (Steven Van Zandt).  I laugh at his facial expressions even before he says a word!

The ratings are a dream for any show! They probably would need a 10,000 square foot home to hold all of the awards that everyone has won over the years! There are only nine episodes left. Then what? More episodes? I think a movie first.

• Do you watch the show?
• What are your thoughts?
• Who is your favorite character?
• Who do you hope gets “whacked” this year?

Get the popcorn ready! Sunday night is right around the corner! I look forward to reading your comments.

Ok I am very surprised that today you are reading my 101st post on the blog.

Way back in the summer of 2006, I had no idea where this was headed and am probably still not sure. Because of people like Joan, Randy, Frank and Christopher, we have a blog…and for some reason it actually is fairly popular. I hear from so many people at conferences that they enjoy the blog and frankly never know what to expect. I guess in some ways that is a good thing.

At this point we are averaging over 600 hits per week and over 6 comments per blog–much more impressive than I thought it would be. I want to thank everyone for contributing to the blog, all of the readers and all of the people who are brave enough to post their comments. I have learned so much in the past eight months and for that I thank you very much.

Looking back I would love to know:

• What was your favorite blog?
   
• What was your least favorite?
   
• What topics would be of interest to you?
   
• What makes you post a comment?
   
• Why haven’t you posted a comment?
   
• Should we have more contests?

Thanks again for exceeding my expectations over the past eight months. I look forward to becoming a better writer over the next eight months.

I look forward to reading your comments.

Over the past 20+ years I have met so many nice, talented and intelligent people in our industry. Years ago I met Regina Lewis who at the time was a client of mine. She always had a “can do” attitude. She was a pleasure to work with and treated everyone she met like they were special.

Regina is VP, Consumer & Brand Insights Group for Dunkin Brands, Inc. and is looking to fill a position and sent me an email asking me to share her position with readers of the blog.

The position is International Insights Manager in the Brand Central Group reporting to Regina.

The International Insights Manager is responsible for working hand-in-hand with myriad members of the International Field, Menu and Concept and Licensee teams to cause profitable strategic shifts within our International business. The International Insights Manager accomplishes this by identifying critical information needs, filling these needs by initiating and overseeing primary research studies, and — most critically - working with all teams mentioned above to transform information into optimal action steps for the company. The information needs of the International team are quite broad, covering consumer habit, competitive activity, design, pipeline, marketing and many other tough arenas.

The International Insights Manager will manage and develop an International Marketing Specialist. A key Manager responsibility in terms of managing upward (to the level of the Leadership Council and key JV teams) will be very proactive demonstration of the need for / potential impact of solid research and data-driven decisions to drive International revenue.

Importantly, this Manager also will create a benchmarking system across key global markets for measuring which (new) products are successful and which ones are not.

This position unquestionably requires noteworthy levels of research rigor, creativity, marketing smarts, entrepreneurship, relationship savvy, presentation skills and vision.

Some of the responsibilities include:

Creating the strongest international consumer insight program possible; *Sustaining very high visibility in sharing of research-based ideas; Creating, always, “workshop” environments after projects are completed so that the give-and-take of research and strategy is seamless; Creating broad-reaching presentations through which many parties within the organization are brought onto the same page around the “whys” behind international decisions and actions; and Serving as a critical organizational touch point by bringing the domestic and international teams to the same tables to share best-practices work.

This position is located in the Boston area so clearly I am jealous and requires a Master’s Degree or significant work toward that end is preferred; this may consist of work toward an MBA in International Business, for example, or an advanced Market Research degree.

At least eight-to-10 years of broad-based research experience is required.

If you know someone who is interested or if you need more information, please email Regina at:

Regina.Lewis@dunkinbrands.com

It would be nice if you could post any comments or helpful hints for our readers and Regina to read as she is trying to fill this important position.